Looking to put a zf 5 speed in place of my mazda M5 5 speed 2wd. I found a 1988 f250 with the zf but has 4 wheel drive. I have not looked at it, will tomorrow, but want to know if I can still install just eliminating the transfer case or will the tail shaft come off the transfer case and bolt up to the zf tranny to accept the driveshaft? I have not seen it to see what needs to be modified and just want to get a idea if anyone has done it. I can work with different drive shaft length and just want to know about getting the spline up to the zf without the 4x4 case.
Thanks for any info

 

The tailshaft and tailshaft housing are different for a 4wd trans from a 2wd. They can be swapped, but it requires complete teardown of 2 trans in order to do so.
Either hunt for a 2wd ZF, or get the 4wd trans and transfer case. At that point, finding a front drive axle with the same ratio as the rear axle would be the only thing preventing you from finishing a 4wd conversion. The D44 IFS (TTB) is a direct bolt in swap for the twin I-beam......

 

If you google 'C6 to ZF swap', and search a bit, you'll find a write up by a guy converting the 2wd ZF to 4wd, with only some simple mods, and w/o a kit. I know this is the other way around from what you wanted, but it may help. I believe the article was in a Bronco site.

Good luck.
I just found this: ZF 5 speed converting from 2wheel to 4 wheel? - Diesel Forum ... I hope that comes out as a link. If not, google: converting to a ZF

 

Thanks guys

I may tackle swapping to make the zf 4wd into a 2wd as I think I may have a cross member fabrication that may be worse if I try to keep the transfer case and this truck does not need to be a 4wd and a conversion later would probably not be soon. I can get the transfer case for nothing and add it but I think the extra mass of the case would hurt mpg and not do anything of benefit. It is a thought to keep the transfer case on but that is something else to have the potential to break or do you guys think that would not be a issue and gas mileage would be about the same?
Thanks for the ideas.

Any other thoughts appreciated.

 

I'd agree. Don't forget: the weight of the case, frnt drive shaft, engine turning that mass (if U had all that) is a gas stealer.
Go for it. Sounds like U have some experience. Some of the stuff I've done has surprised me ;-) but nobody else! Get some good directions from one of the sites, if U got a knowledgeable buddy (that's been my savin grace) that helps, stay in-touch here...Very doable. Check the bank account, ID any specialty tools, get the parts together...
You will hafta take out both trannys anyway.

 

My recommendation would be to get the correct transmission. If you don't need the 4WD version of the ZF, there is definitely someone who does. The 2WD versions are much less sought after and I imagine you could probably trade one 4WD ZF for two 2WD ZFs and have a spare. Not really, but still...

It would also save you from having issues with trying to do conversions.

 

I concur. Swapping the tailshaft and housing is rather involved, and it requires you to have access to a 2wd ZF trans to get the needed parts, unless you go the pricier way with new parts.
The trans would have to be completely disassembled to swap the output shaft. With a donor 2wd trans, it too would have to totally disassembled to get the needed parts out, assuming they were still useable. If the 2wd trans was good, you wouldn't be robbing parts from it........

 

Why the heck are these folks who have 4x4 ZFs that they don't want so far away from me?

 

Murphy's Law.

 

I guess that's the difference between us - he got it free.
U may know me well enuff to C I'm a cheepscate.
He'll make what ever decision he needs, I'd advise - put the time in - not the money.
8-o {-8

 

I ended up finding someone with a good 2wd ZF and made extra cash and parts trading with him for the 4wd. Was much simpler that way for me and now I just have to get it installed and figure the drive shaft.

Thanks for all the help/advice guys, I learned and it was wise council.

 

a good 2wd ZF and made extra cash and parts trading with him for the 4wd.

Like the Friends (Quakers) say - "The Third Way." Me: choice "C".
;-)